Colorado takes another run in the "Race to the Top"

Good morning. Here's a look at news reports from around the state on issues of interest to the Colorado Center on Law and Policy for Wednesday, April 7, 2010.

FISCAL POLICY
The Denver Post: Colorado prepares new bid for Race to the Top education grant
The state will be seeking $175 million — $200 million less than in the first round — to implement reforms, including creating a statewide data system and developing a more robust evaluation system.
Also: Denver Post commentary: Colorado's Race to the Top quite an education
Also: Huffington Post Denver: After Trashing 'Race To The Top Judges,' Ritter Says Colorado Will Compete In Second Round
Also: Denver Business Journal: Colo. will try again on ‘Race to the Top'

Pueblo Chieftain: District 70 teachers offer cost-savings measures
Roxy Pignanelli, an officer with the Pueblo County Teachers Association, said the district should start out making sure that class sizes were limited to 25 and then allocate expenditures.

Associated Press via Colorado Springs Business Journal: Colo. budget adds $9.4M to open new prison unit
State senators are preparing to vote on some big spending cuts this week, including a $130 million reduction for public schools. But spending will still increase in some areas within the overall $18.2 billion budget.

Grand Junction Sentinel: Fruita OKs 5 percent tax on medical pot
Fruita voters on Tuesday approved a 5 percent sales tax on medical marijuana, making the city the first in Colorado to tax products sold by an industry that has boomed in the Grand Valley.
Also: KOAA-TV: Woodland Park voters turn down sales tax increase

KUSA-TV: Superintendent 'relieved' to cut only $10 million
"'Protect the classroom' was the most common theme," King said.


HEALTH POLICY
The Denver Post: Women with cancer can be denied Medicaid funding by going to wrong place
Women with breast or cervical cancer who qualify for a certain Medicaid program can sign up the day of their diagnosis for the federal insurance that pays for their treatment — but only if they go to the right clinic. If, by chance, they happen to get diagnosed at a site not designated for Women's Wellness Connection, they are not eligible. And they are blocked from ever enrolling during their cancer treatment.

The Denver Post: Obama administration taps San Luis Valley health-care provider
So much for the rumor that Democratic gubernatorial candidate John Hickenlooper might tap Marguerite Salazar as his running mate. Salazar today was appointed regional director for the U.S. Health and Human Services, which oversees a variety of programs, from Medicaid to Head Start.

Denver Daily News: Norton: Repeal health reform
U.S. Senate candidate Jane Norton yesterday said that lawmakers must repeal the health care reform bill President Barack Obama signed into law in order to jumpstart economic recovery.

Durango Herald: Couple sues to clarify tribal health plans
Case's outcome may help determine whether plans subject to federal law.

Greeley Tribune: Riesberg to host health care forum
State Rep. Jim Riesberg will focus his next Saturday town hall meeting on an overview of the National Health Care Reform Package.


SELF SUFFICIENCY
The Denver Post: Bennet says feds aware of state food stamp computer woes
U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet told Colorado school food experts that he’s making federal officials aware of computer glitches that have plagued the state’s food stamp applications.